Hospital bed sliding foot section



Nov. 30, .1965 T. NELSON HOSPITAL BED SLIDING FOOT SECTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 25, 1963 INVENTOR. TED NELSON Nov. 30, 1965 T. NELSON HOSPITAL BED SLIDING FOOT SECTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 23, 1965 FIG 3 INVENTOR. TED NELSON A 7' TORNE Nov. 30, 1965 T. NELSON HOSPITAL BED SLIDING FOOT SECTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 25, 1963 9 QPK INVENTOR TED NEL SON A TTO/PNE V United States Patent 3,220,022 HOSPITAL BED SLIDING FOOT SECTION Ted Nelson, 8638 Patterson Pass Road, Livermore, Calif. Filed Dec. 23, 1963, Ser. No. 332,781 6 Claims. (Cl. -80) This invention relates in general to hospital beds of the type where the mattress support is capable of being sectionally tilted to various positions, particularly a sitting position and can also be tilted as a unit to a vertical position, by manual or power means. More particularly this invention relates to such a bed in which a sliding cover for the foot section moves in relation to the angular attitude of the foot section. This is provided in order to accommodate the radius of the mattress as it bends to meet the particular angular attitude, so that the feet of the patient can always be made to rest against and be supported by the removable foot rest regardless of the angular attitude of the foot section.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a bed which has a movable foot section supporting the mattress and which is automatically movable longitudinally to reduced the length of a foot section as it is lowered into the substantially vertical plane, such as is required for both sitting and standing attitudes. By so doing it makes it possible for the atient to get in and out of bed from the foot end when the bed is in the chair or standing attitude, or from the side of the bed when it is in a horizontal attitude with the bed frame in the maximum down position. In previous beds it was necessary for the bed frame to be in the high position for the foot section to be lowered to the full down position at the end of the bed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a longitudinally retractable foot section to compensate for the enlarged radius that develops in the mattress as it bends around the pivot point in changing the attitude of the foot section from the horizontal attitude to the seat section. In so compensating, it is possible for the patient to maintain his feet against the positioned foot section if that is desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide a movable foot section which changes length automatically in relation to the angularity of adjustment of the seat section, i.e., the greater the angularity, the shorter the foot section and vice versa.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a telescoping foot section so that the maximum length of foot section is available for the horizontal patient, yet when the foot section is in the down position either in a sitting attitude or a vertical attitude, the footboard is immediately adjacent the floor and provides a minimum height for easy access to or exit from the bed.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, economy and ease of assembly and disassembly, also such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will fully appear and as are inherently possessed by the device and invention described herein.

The invention further resides in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and while there is shown therein a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that the same is illustrative of the invention and that the invention is capable of modification and change and comprehends other details of construction without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary side elevational View of the foot section of the bed described herein;

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FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the foot section shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on the line III-III of FIGURE 2, and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of the complete bed showing the relationship of the movable portions of the bed support with the usual mattress 43 thereon.

Referring to the drawings in which like reference numerals indicate like parts in the several views, the hospital bed of the present invention shown in its preferred form comprises a pair of relatively wide channel side frames 10 disposed in parallel vertical planes which connect at one end to a pair of vertical leg members 11 at the foot of the bed and to a pair of similar vertical head legs at the opposite or head end of the bed, the latter not being shown. The marginal legs of the channel side frames 10 are relatively short and are directed inwardly to leave an uninterrupted surface on the outside. Secured in the same vertical plane as the side panels 10 at the foot end of the bed are triangular strengthening members 12 each having an inturned flange 1211 the same width as the legs of the channel members, which are secured to the foot leg members and channel members at either side, as by welding or in any other suitable manner. Behind this triangular member 12, and approximately in the same plane as the ends of the inturned legs of the channel members and the flange 12a, is a stiffening plate 14. Along the hypotenuse 15 of the strengthening member 14 is a triangular member 16 with its altitude substantially at right angles to the hypotenuse 15. The member 16 is so shaped that it slopes inwardly from the line 17 which is its altitude, to contact the stiffening plate 14 so that its perimeter other than its base, is in continuous contact with the plate 14 and is secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by welding. At the apex of the triangular member 16 is a fixed pivot 18. This is, of course, repeated on the opposite side.

The foot legs 11 are hollow in cross-section and have a suitable finishing cap 20 at the top thereof to close the opening. Each leg is supplied with an internal leg portion 21 which moves in sliding relationship vertically within the foot leg 11. To the lower end of the internal leg member 21 is secured a caster 22 which should be equipped with the conventional locking means 23. Although not shown, the head end legs are similarly equipped with sliding or telescoping internal leg portions, caster, and locking means.

The mattress support consists of three or more movable, horizontal frame sections but preferably a foot section, a seat section and a head section. The foot and seat sections are mounted in overlapping pivotal relation to each other so that even though all of the sections lie in the same horizontal plane, the foot may be rotated in a vertical plane independently of any movement of the seat section. The head section is likewise pivotally mounted in overlapping relation with the frame of the seat section at each side so that the head section may be pivotally rotated in a vertical plane independently of the seat section regardless of the latters attitude. In all instances the sections may be pivoted with respect to each other or as a unit on the pivots 18, which mounts the foot and seat sections to the main side frames 10.

For the purposes of this invention, the foot portion comprises a rectangular frame generally designated 24, and includes side angle members 25 at either side, with one side of the angle in the horizontal plane and the other side of the angle in a vertical plane at the outside, and end angle members 26 secured together in the conventional manner. At either side of the frame members 25 their side walls are extended longitudinally toward the head end by ears 27 which ears permit the mounting of the frame 24 rotatably on the fixed pivot pins 18 in the reinforcing plates 14 and 16. The frame 24 is suitably reinforced against warping or twisting from the horizontal plane by reinforcing angle members 28. From a point 30 adjacent the inner end of the frame 24 to the outer wall 31 of the inner foot angle member 26, and from one sideto the other, the area is covered by an overlying sheet of metal 32, which is secured in any suitable manner on the upper surface of that portion of the frame 24 to provide a solid appearance. It is on longer required to have springs in hospital beds as these are unsanitary and very difiicult if not impossible to properly clean and disinfect without taking the bed out of service for a long period of time.

A sliding cover member 33 is provided to slip over the outer end of the foot frame section and solidly cover the same. The sliding foot cover member 33 is a flat horizontal sheet having vertically depending side walls 34 and inwardly turned flanges 35. The side walls and flanges are adapted to guide over andaround the angle member 25 at either side in a sliding mount (see FIGURE 3). The forward portion of the side walls may be angled upwardly toward the top surface as at 36, in order to facilitate the sliding positioning of this member. The top surface of the foot cover member 33is broken only by a pair of openings 37 therethrough which have protective grommets 38. The mattress 50 has cooperating tie strings (not shown) which pass through the grommets 38 and are tied together beneath the cover member 33. In this manner the mattress is secured so that it must follow the movements of the sliding foot section. It will be observed that anything passing through the holes 37 and between, will not interfere with the structure lying underneath or for a substantial distance toward the head of the bed. It will likewise be observed that the solid surface of the member 33 slightly overlaps the solid surface 32 of the foot section in its most extended position as shown in the drawings so as to present a substantially continuous metal upper surface to the foot section.

Secured to each side wall 34 of the sliding foot cover.

member 33 are holding plates 40 which are of greater width than the side walls 34 and extend below them. These are preferably spot welded to the vertical faces of the said side walls 34. The side plates 40 extend only a portion of the distance forward from the end of the foot cover section 33. Most of the length of the lower edges of the plates 40 are formed with a series of angular notches 41, the purpose of which will be explained later.

It will be observed that so far the foot section 24 is mounted for pivotal movement in a vertical plane on the fixed pivots 18 and has a sliding cover plate 33 which is mounted for slidable engagement over said frame.

For purposes of disclosure at this point, the seat section 42 is similarly composed of side angle member 43 and foot and head angle members 44. The side members 43 have a depending vertical face 45 of substantial width and extend longitudinally toward the foot of the bed a substantial distance beyond the transverse member 44. Intermediate of the extended ear portions 45, the seat frame 42 is mounted on the same fixed pivots 18 in overlapping relationship with the ear portions 27 of the foot frame 24. It is apparent therefore, that by ears 46 the seat member rotates in a vertical plane about the pivot 18 and by cars 27 the foot section rotates in a vertical plane about the same pivot 18.

Adjacent the terminus of the ear 46, one end of the linkage47 is pivotally mounted thereon, while the opposite end of the linkage 47 is pivotally mounted at the inner ends of the plates 40 adjacent the serrated edge and below the inturned flange 35 of the cover sheet 33 so that there is no interference therewith. In this manner the foot cover member 33 cannot be Withdrawn from its sliding engagement but is held in position on the foot section frame 24 in slidable contact. Thus, it appears that when the foot section or foot frame 24 is rotated downwardly counterclockwise on the pivot 18, while the seat section remains in its horizontal position, for example, the linkages 47 being pivotally mounted on the ear members 46 at48 and on the side members at 49, also move counterclockwise, but the pivot-s 48 being off-center with respect to the pivots 18 will cause the linkages to slide the cover section 33on the frame 24 upwardly or toward the head of the bed so that the length of the covered foot section is sufficiently reduced to accommodate the increased radius caused by the mattress 50 under the knees of a patient. Heretofore, as the foot section was rotated counterclockwise toward a downward position, a patient lying horizontally on the mattress 50 with his feet touching the footboard at the foot end of the bed, would experience the fact that as the foot section was rotated downwardly counterclockwise toward the vertical position, the curve of the mattress 58 below his knees would cause his feet to move away from the footboard 51 so that they were no longer supported. thereby, and at the vertical position the feet of the patient would be a sub stantial distance from the footboard itself, although the patient had not moved his relative position in the bed. Because of the sliding cover plate 33 and the linkages 47, the footboard 51 is constantly maintained. in contact with the feet of the patient as the foot section is rotated counterclockwise to the vertical position.

Conversely, as the foot section is raised in a clockwise direction to the horizontal position, for example, the length of the foot section is not seemingly shortened to exert pressure onthe feet of the patient as in the past, but always remains at slight contact pressure due to the sliding action of the cover plate 33 on the frame of the foot section 24.

All of these features are extremely important in the cases where the patients are either so ill or their malady is such that a minimum movement of the patient is required, and no effort is required on behalf of the patient to adjust himself to the various contours of the mattress 50 and the bed clothes with the present device.

The fo'otboard 51 has two inwardly directed side panels 52 which are connected by a transverse footrest 53 which is suitably padded as at 54. The footrest 53 does not extend the entire vertical height of the side panels 52 but leaves more than sufficient clearance for the passage therethrough of the mattress 50 and the bed clothes Wrapped thereover. The panels 52 at either side extend outside the plates 40 and are freely slidable thereover.

It is provided with guide wheels 55 on the inner face thereof which ride on the top edge of the side plates 40. Also on the inner face but adjacent the bottom edge. and front is a pin56 of a suitable diameter to firmly engage in and be retained by the teeth or tangled notches 41. Directly above the pin 55 and also pivotally mounted on the inner face is a swinging key 57 mounted on pivot 58, the key having an out-turned flange 60. The shank of the key 57 has a fixed pin 61 mounted thereon which guides in slot 62 formed in the side panels 52 for limited pivotal movement. These same members are repeated on the opposing face of the side panel 52 at the other side of footrest 53.

The footboa-rd assembly 51.. is positioned thereon by rotating the keys 57 in their uppermost position, tilting the footboard slightly forward and sliding this over the panel until the wheels 55 engage the top edge of the plates 40 at both sides. The footboard 51 is then moved into the proper adjustment longitudinally and when the proper adjusted length is attained, it is rocked backward to the position shown in the drawings so that the pins 56 will engage in one of the notches 41 in the adjusted position. The footboard 51 is then locked in the adjusted position by allowing the keys 57 to fall freely into position vertically. so that the flanges 60 engage the top edge of the side plates 40. In this manner the footboard cannot be moved out of adjusted position inadvertently and can only be changed by releasing the keys 57 from the locked position. The footbo'ard assembly 51 is removed from the bed by rotating the keys 57 to their uppermost position, rocking the assembly forward sufficiently to disengage the pins and clear the notches, and then sliding the assembly ofl the foot end of the bed.

The length of travel of the sliding foot section 33 on the foot frame 24 is controlled by the distance between pivot points 18 and pivot points 48 and can be increased by widening the distance or decreased by lessening this distance.

It will be observed that to accommodate a tall person in horizontal position, the footboard can be extended even to the maximum length, the movement or retraction of the foot section brings the seat section when a sitting attitude is assumed, to a minimum height from the floor for easy access to or exit from the bed.

I claim:

1. A bed in combination a frame and a separately mounted mattress support above said frame, said mattress support having a foot section, a seat section and a head section, said foot section being pivotally mounted on the seat section with the seat section pivotally mounted on said frame, said foot section being pivotally movable separately or as a unit with said seat, a sliding cover mounted on said foot section, said cover having a top and guideway means for longitudinal movement on said foot section, and means for slidably moving said cover longitudinally on said foot section simultaneously with the pivotal movement of said foot section to shorten the length of the foot section by gradual increments to the shortest length as it approaches 90 from the line of the seat section regardless of its attitude.

2. The bed of claim 1 in which the means for slidably moving said cover on said foot section includes linkage means, one end of which is pivotally mounted on said cover and the other pivotally mounted on side extensions of said seat section olfset toward the foot of the bed from the pivotal mounting of said foot section on said seat section.

3. The bed of claim 2 in which said sliding cover has a transverse foot rest which is independently adjustable longitudinally along said sliding cover, for movement therewith in the adjusted position longitudinally along the foot section.

4. A hospital bed in combination a frame and an independently mounted mattress support above said frame, said mattress support having a foot section, a seat section and a head section, said foot section being pivotally mounted on the seat section with the seat section pivotally mounted on said frame, said foot section being pivotally movable separately or in conjunction with said seat sec- 6 tion, a sliding cover mounted on said foot section, said cover having a top and guide means at each side for longitudinal movement over said foot section, ear portions integral with the sides of said seat section extending from the pivot point of said seat toward the foot of said bed, and link means pivotally connected at one end to said ear portions and to said sliding cover at the other end to shorten the length of the foot section by gradual incre ments to the shortest length when it approaches from the line of the seat section regardless of the position of the seat section.

5. In a hospital bed having a frame and a mattress support, said mattress support having a foot section, a seat section and ahead section, said foot section being pivotally mounted on the seat section with the seat section pivotally mounted on said frame, said foot section being pivotally movable separately or in conjunction with said seat section, the combination comprising a sliding cover mounted on said foot section, said cover having a top and guide means for longitudinal movement over said foot section, said cover further having a pair of depending outer side plates with serrated lower edges, ear extensions at either side of the seat section extending from the pivot point on said frame toward the foot of aid bed, link means pivotally connected at one end to said ear extensions and pivotally connected at the other end to said sliding cover, a transverse foot rest in conjunction with said sliding cover adjustably positioned longitudinally thereon by engagement with said serrated edges and movable with said foot section in the adjusted position, and releasable locking means adapted to retain said foot rest in the adjusted position.

6. The hospital bed of claim 5 with a releasable locking means for said transverse foot rest in the adjusted position comprising a vertically mounted swinging key with an inturned flange providing a foot, said foot engaging the top of said sliding cover when said transverse foot rest is in the adjusted position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 453,237 6/1891 Goodwin 580 1,642,140 9/1927 Cane et al. 5-322 2,592,025 4/ 1952 Gray 297-348 2,995,762 8/1961 Albinson 5--322 FOREIGN PATENTS 3 38,925 7/ 1959 Switzerland.

FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A BED IN COMBINATION A FRAME ASND A SEPARATELY MOUNTED MATTRESS SUPPORT ABOVE SAID FRAME, SAID MATTRESS SUPPORT HAVING A FOOT SECTION, A SEAT SECTION AND A HEAD SECTION, SAID FOOT SECTION BEING PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON THE SEAT SECTION WITH THE SEAT SECTION PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME, SAID FOOT SECTION BEING PIVOTALLY MOVABLE SEPARATELY OR AS A UNIT WITH SAID SEAT, A SLIDING COVER MOUNTED ON SAID FOOT SECTION, SAID COVER HAVING A TOP UAND GUIDEWAY MEANS FOR LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT ON SAID FOOT SECTION, AND MEANS FOR SLIDABLY MOVING SAID COVER LONGITUDINALLY ON SAID FOOT SECTION SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF SAID FOOT SECTION TO SHORTEN THE LENGTH OF THE FOOT SECTION BY GRADUAL INCREMENTS TO THE SHORTEST LENGTH AS IT APPROACHES 90* FROM THE LINE OF THE SEAT SECTION REGARDLESS OF ITS ATTITUDE. 